12 Not that we dare to classify or (A)compare ourselves with some of those who (B)are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are (C)without understanding.

13 But we will not boast (D)beyond limits, but will (E)boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, (F)to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. (G)For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that (H)as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be (I)greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. 17 “Let (J)the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is (K)not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one (L)whom the Lord commends.

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12 For we do not dare to classify or to compare ourselves with some who commend themselves, but they themselves, when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, do not understand. 13 But we will not boast beyond limits[a], but according to the measure of the assignment that God has assigned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we[b] had not reached you, because we have reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ, 15 not boasting beyond limits[c] in the labors of others, but having hope that as your faith is growing to be enlarged greatly by you according to our assignment, 16 so that we may proclaim the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast in the things accomplished in the area assigned to someone else. 17 But “the one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”[d] 18 For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:13 Literally “to the things immeasurable”
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:14 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“reached”) which is understood as conditional
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:15 Literally “to the things immeasurable”
  4. 2 Corinthians 10:17 A quotation from Jer 9:24